Fastest Growing Affordable Cities in 2026
Data-driven city rankings · 2026
Overview
The best time to move to an affordable city is before everyone else discovers it. The metros below combine below-average cost indices with population sizes and economic characteristics that suggest continued growth. These are cities building momentum — attracting employers, investing in infrastructure, and offering the kind of value that draws domestic migration.
We ranked affordable cities (index below 100) with populations over 100,000. Larger populations in affordable markets tend to indicate economic activity that sustains growth without immediately pushing costs to national-average levels.
Ranking Criteria
Ranked by cost index among cities with population over 100,000 and index below 100. These filters identify metros with enough economic mass to support job growth while maintaining genuine affordability.
Top Cities
| # | City | Index | Rent | Home Price | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia, MO | 77 | $1,170/mo | $248,000 | $48,700 |
| 2 | Rockford, IL | 80 | $1,230/mo | $310,000 | $45,900 |
| 3 | Akron, OH | 81 | $1,180/mo | $264,000 | $47,300 |
| 4 | Jackson, MS | 82 | $900/mo | $125,000 | $36,528 |
| 5 | Lubbock, TX | 83 | $950/mo | $175,000 | $49,834 |
| 6 | Brownsville, TX | 83 | $1,220/mo | $271,000 | $46,400 |
| 7 | Overland Park, KS | 83 | $1,220/mo | $274,000 | $55,300 |
| 8 | Little Rock, AR | 84 | $950/mo | $170,000 | $47,638 |
| 9 | Memphis, TN | 84 | $1,000/mo | $155,000 | $41,228 |
| 10 | Wichita, KS | 84 | $900/mo | $165,000 | $52,428 |
| 11 | Springfield, MO | 84 | $1,090/mo | $236,000 | $48,800 |
| 12 | Mobile, AL | 84 | $1,390/mo | $308,000 | $42,900 |
| 13 | El Paso, TX | 85 | $1,000/mo | $185,000 | $47,568 |
| 14 | Tulsa, OK | 85 | $950/mo | $175,000 | $48,278 |
| 15 | Irving, TX | 85 | $850/mo | $249,000 | $46,700 |
| 16 | Laredo, TX | 86 | $1,050/mo | $222,000 | $43,800 |
| 17 | Birmingham, AL | 87 | $1,000/mo | $165,000 | $38,178 |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | 87 | $900/mo | $100,000 | $32,053 |
| 19 | Corpus Christi, TX | 87 | $1,100/mo | $195,000 | $53,238 |
| 20 | Oklahoma City, OK | 87 | $1,000/mo | $195,000 | $55,458 |
City-by-City Breakdown
1. Columbia, MO (Index: 77)
Columbia sits 23% below the national average with a cost index of 77. Median rent runs $1,170/mo per month, and the median home price is $248,000. With a median household income of $48,700, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 72, which is the most affordable category in Columbia.
2. Rockford, IL (Index: 80)
Rockford sits 20% below the national average with a cost index of 80. Median rent runs $1,230/mo per month, and the median home price is $310,000. With a median household income of $45,900, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 90, which drives most of the overall cost in Rockford.
3. Akron, OH (Index: 81)
Akron sits 19% below the national average with a cost index of 81. Median rent runs $1,180/mo per month, and the median home price is $264,000. With a median household income of $47,300, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 84, which drives most of the overall cost in Akron.
4. Jackson, MS (Index: 82)
Jackson sits 18% below the national average with a cost index of 82. Median rent runs $900/mo per month, and the median home price is $125,000. With a median household income of $36,528, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 56, which is the most affordable category in Jackson.
5. Lubbock, TX (Index: 83)
Lubbock sits 17% below the national average with a cost index of 83. Median rent runs $950/mo per month, and the median home price is $175,000. With a median household income of $49,834, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 59, which is the most affordable category in Lubbock.
6. Brownsville, TX (Index: 83)
Brownsville sits 17% below the national average with a cost index of 83. Median rent runs $1,220/mo per month, and the median home price is $271,000. With a median household income of $46,400, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 95, which drives most of the overall cost in Brownsville.
7. Overland Park, KS (Index: 83)
Overland Park sits 17% below the national average with a cost index of 83. Median rent runs $1,220/mo per month, and the median home price is $274,000. With a median household income of $55,300, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 90, which drives most of the overall cost in Overland Park.
8. Little Rock, AR (Index: 84)
Little Rock sits 16% below the national average with a cost index of 84. Median rent runs $950/mo per month, and the median home price is $170,000. With a median household income of $47,638, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 62, which is the most affordable category in Little Rock.
9. Memphis, TN (Index: 84)
Memphis sits 16% below the national average with a cost index of 84. Median rent runs $1,000/mo per month, and the median home price is $155,000. With a median household income of $41,228, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 63, which is the most affordable category in Memphis.
10. Wichita, KS (Index: 84)
Wichita sits 16% below the national average with a cost index of 84. Median rent runs $900/mo per month, and the median home price is $165,000. With a median household income of $52,428, the purchasing power here stretches further than in most metros. Housing is indexed at 62, which is the most affordable category in Wichita.
How to Use This Data
Affordability in growing cities is a moving target. Rapid population growth eventually pushes up housing costs, which drives the overall index higher. The cities on this list represent current value, not guaranteed future affordability. If you are considering a move, acting sooner rather than later captures more of the cost advantage. Monitor our quarterly data updates to track index trends in your target cities over time.
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